Amusement device



H. H. HUNT AMUSEMENT DEVICE July 3, 1934.,

Filed Aug. 10, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l wnmuuu g woaw iom dttowww v July 3,1934.

H. H. HUNT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Aug. 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6, f74' V m a g F I W 4/ 47 4 z;

44 Q i (g 61/)? //)1 Y i Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 1,965,039 AMUSEMENT DEVICE Harold H. Hunt, Fort Sill, Okla.Application August 10, 1931, Serial No. 556,247 19 Claims. (01. 272-41)This invention relates in general to amusement bly suspended from eacharm is an aero glider devices, and more particularly to a device forhaving self contained controls for maneuvering allowing an airplane-likestructure, suspended by it about its three axes. There is also provideda cable, to move freely about its three axes. friction reducing means atthe points where the Amusement devices capable of revolving andsuspended aero glider moves about its three axes. 50 carrying suspendedcarriages have, in general, A weighted car, or the like, is adapted tomove been limited to revolving motion only, and no upon tracks mountedon the sloping part of the device has been advanced which will permitmoveconically shaped base. Such a car is provided for ment of anairplane-like structure about its three each aero glider, and the twoare connected axes without interference. Furthermore, no prothroughcables in such a manner that the variable 65 vision has been made forcontrols within such pull produced by the different movements of the astructure whereby it may be moved in any direc aero glider iscounterbalanced. tion, and if desired, completely looped. In order tomake my invention more clearly The major object of my invention is toprovide understood, I have shown in the accompanying an aero glidercapable of free movement about drawings, means for carrying the sameinto 70 its three axes. practical efiect without limiting theimprovements An equally important object of my invention is in theiruseful applications to the particular conto provide an aero gliderhaving self contained structions which,'for the purpose of explanation,

controls for maneuvering the same. have been made the subject ofillustration. Another object of my invention is to provide an Figure lis an elevational view of my assembled 75 aero glider capable of beingactually looped. amusement device.

Still another object of my invention is to pro- Figure 2 is a plan viewof the suspended airvide an amusement device in which the weightplane-like structure showing a circumferential of the aero glider iscounterbalanced in any member for permitting lateral'movement thereof.position. Figure 3 is a sectional view of a circumferential 80 A stillfurther object of my invention is to probearing for allowing movementabout the lateral vide an amusement .device capable of rotation axis.

and carrying freely suspended aero gliders adapt- Figure 4 is asectional view showing a modified ed to be controlled by a passenger.form of means for allowing movement about the Yet another object of myinventionis to prolateral axis. g5 vide an aero glider having a selfcontained pro- Figure 5 is a detailed view showing the connecpemng n:Ice of power, tion between the aero glider frame and the sus- Yet astill further object of my invention is to pending cable for allowingmovement about the provide friction reducing means at the pointsvertical axis. where the aero glider moves about its three axes. Figure6 is a modified form of aero glider show- 90 Another object of myinvention is to provide ing a two point support for permitting lateralan amusement device having a rotatable base movement. with a separateweight movable thereon for Figure 7 is an elevational view of an aeroglider counterbalancing the variable pull of each aero provided with aself contained motor and pro glider. Y peller. 95

A further object of my invention is to provide Figure 8 is a perspectiveview of a modified a novel type of support for the aero glider to formof support for an aero glider. permit free movement about its threeaxes. Figure 9 is a side view of the upper part of a With these andother objects in view, which may mast and arms extending therefrom,showing the be incident to my improvements, the invention application ofa counterbalancing weight to an 190 consists in the parts andcombination to be hereexisting support structure. inafter set forth andclaimed, with the under- Referring generally to the drawings and morestanding that the several necessary elements comparticularly to Figure1, there is shown a coniprising my invention may be varied inconstruccally shaped base 1, supported by a plurality of tion,proportions and arrangement without detrucks 2 adapted to travel oncircular tracksB. parting from the spirit and scope of the appended Thebase y b rotated by y Suitable a s, claims. not shown. Mounted at theapex oi the conically The invention broadly includes a rotatable shapedbase 1 is a mast 4 having a plurality of conically shaped base carryinga mast having a arms 5 extending therefrom at a pointnear the pluralityof arms extending therefrom. Extensitop of themast. A like number ofcables other no reinforcing means 6 are provided between the top of themast 4 and the ends of each of the arms 5 to lend support to theextending arms, and also assist in maintaining the mast in a verticalposition.

As will be noted in Figure 1, a weighted car 7 is adapted to travel upontracks 8 mounted on the sloping sides of the conically shaped base. Inthe preferred embodiment there is provided the same number of weightedcars '7 as there are masts 5. A stop 9 is secured to the lower part ofthe base for each car 7, and a similar stop 10 is secured to the upperpart of the base. The reason for the stops 9 and 10 will hereinafterappear.

A suspension cable 11, passing over a plurality of pulleys 12, ispivotally connected to a yoke 13 through a casing 14 for extensiblysuspending an aero glider 15. The cable follows each arm 6 and passesover the pulley 12 near the top of the mast 4, down the mast, over thepulley 12 at the bottom of the mast, and is connected to the weightedcar 7.

Each aero glider 15 is pivotally connected to the yoke 13 through acasing 16 by means of supporting arms 17. The supporting arms 17 arebent, as at 17, to engage the casing 16 to provide a swinging support.The casings 14 and 16 enclose friction reducing means for the pivotableconnections, as will later be described.

An aero glider constructed in accordance with my invention comprises afuselage 18, having a plurality of cockpits 19 therein. A wing surface20 extends laterally from each side of the fuselage, and is providedwith an aileron 21, suitably controlled by movement of cables 21. Therear controls of the aero glider include an elevator 22 on each side ofthe fuselage and a rudder 23 positioned therebetween. The elevators 22and rudder 23 are connected to cables 24 and 25, respectively, whichextend longitudinally of the fuselage 18. The cables connecting thecontrol surfaces are actuated by means of a control device 25'positioned in each cockpit 19 within easy reach of a passenger.

As will be clearly seen from the various views in the drawings, the wingsurfaces and control surfaces are narrower than the width of the yoke13, thereby permitting movement of the aero glider l5 and its supportingarms 17 therein unobstructed.

The supporting arms 17 are connected to the aero glider to the rear ofthe wing surfaces by means of a circumferential bearing 26. As shown inFigure 3, the fuselage 18 is split to receive suitable bearing meansbetween the two sections. A circular plate 27 is provided between thetwo sections of the fuselage, and is secured to struts 28 by means ofsuitable connecting devices 29. The plate 27 is smaller in diameter thanthe fuselage, and is positioned below the surface thereof. There isprovided by this arrangement a groove 30 for receiving a ball race 31,suitably secured to the plate 2'7, and a ball race 32 suitably connectedto each supporting arm 17. A plurality of ball bearings 33 arepositioned between the ball races, thereby reducing friction between themoving parts.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of supporting the aeroglider so that easy lateral movement may be accomplished, it is to beclearly understood that I am not limited to the exact structure shownand described, as many variations may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention. A structure like that shown in Figure 4 may beemployed, or if desired any other type of structure may be used.

The casing 16, through which a pivotable connection is provided betweenthe yoke 13 and supporting arm 17, includes ball races 34 and 35,secured within the casing at each end. Positioned between the ball racesof each pair is a ball bearing 36 to reduce friction between the movingparts. The supporting arm 17, as before mentioned. is bent at 1'7, andthe bent portion extends through the casing and functions as an axle 37between the pairs of ball races.

Figure 5 shows in detail the means for providing the pivotal connectionbetween the cable 11 and the yoke 13 within the casing 14. Asillustrated, the cable 11 is provided with a member 38 having a circularflange 39 at the bottom thereof. The member 38 extends through thecasing 14, and the circular flange 39 supports a ball race 40. .Asimilar ball race 41 is positioned above the ball race 40 within thecasing 14, and ball bearings 42 are placed between the two ball races.The above described arrangement will permit rotation of the aero gliderabout its vertical axis.

In the operation of my device, the base 1 is rotated by any suitablemeans, and due to the connection between the base and the plurality ofaero gliders 15, the entire device moves as a unit. An air blast,produced from any suitable source, is started and the aero gliders willtravel into the air blast. By actuating the ailerons 21, the aero glidermay be made to roll on its lateral axis about the circumferentialbearing 26. It will be appreciated that a roll can be produced in eitherdirection.

When it is desired to turn the aero glider to the right or left, therudder 23 is moved in the desired direction, and due to the pivotalconnection provided within the casing 14, the aero glider may be made totravel upon the desired course. A dive or a complete loop may also beaccomplished by the described arrangement. If a slight dive is desired,the elevators 22 may be slightly depressed, and the aero glider 15 willbe made to dive, the supporting arms 17 pivoting within the casing 16during this movement. If it is desired to loop the plane, the elevators22 are raised to their maximum position and the aero glider 15 andsupporting arms 17 will make a complete revolution about the pivotalconnection provided within the casing 16. The control surfaces may beactuated separately, or if desired they may be used in combination toproduce well known movements of the airplane-like structure.

The weighted car 7, as before described, is adapted to counterbalanceany pull exerted by the aero glider 15. When the aero glider 15 is beingmaneuvered, the pull in some positions will be greater, which will causethe weight 7 to travel upon the tracks 8 to a position where the pull ofthe aero glider is counterbalanced thereby. By this arrangement it ispossible to always maintain the aero glider 15 well above the ground,and as shown the weight 7 cannot extend beyond the stop 10 located atthe apex of the conically shaped base. With this arrangement, the cable11, passing over the pulley 12, is always maintained taut. The weightedcar 7 exerts a pull opposite to that produced by the aero glider due toits gravity effect on the sloping sides of the conical base and thisopposite force is augmented by the centrifugal force produced byrotation'of the base.

(Iii

" sitions as above described Figure 4 illustrates a modified form ofcircumferential bearing. As shown, the fuselage 18 is split, and a tube43 is positioned between the two sections of the fuselage. The tube 43threadedly engages struts 44, extending vertical of the fuselage. A ballrace 45 is suitably secured to v the tube 43, and a similar ball race 46is secured to the supporting arms 17. Ball bearings 47 are positionedbetween the ball races and provide friction reducing means forpermitting movement of the aero glider about its lateral axis. In orderto pass the cables 24 and 25 for actuating the control surfaces throughthe fuselage, a plurality of pulleys 48 are provided. As shown, thepulleys 48 allow the cables to pass through the tube 43, therebyavoiding any possibility of the cables becoming inoperative.

Figure 6 shows a single seated aero glider having a two point supportfor allowing movement about its lateral axis. As shown, a support 49 ispivotally connected to the fuselage to the rear and front of the cockpitby means of circumferential bearings 50 and 51 similar to the bearing 26previously described. The same maneuverability may be accomplished withthe form of support shown in this figure as is the case of the form ofsupport shown in Figure 2.

Figure 7 shows an aero glider having a motor 52 and a propeller 53attached to the crank shaft of the motor. By providing a self containedsource of power, it is possible to increase the speed and also themaneuverability of the aero glider. The propeller may be usedadvantageously in executing a loop, in that it will exert an additionalforce to pull the aero glider over near the peak of the loop.

Figure 8 shows a modified form of frame for supporting a two seated aeroglider. The cable 11 is attached to the frame by means of a pivotalconnection 54, similar to that shown in Figure 5. The supporting frameis rectangular in shape and comprises uprights 55 and horizontal rods 56and 58 connecting each end of the uprights. Rods 57 extend from thepivotal connection 53 to the upper portion of the rectangular frame andare fixedly secured thereto. The uprights 55 are pivotally connected attheir bottoms to the horizontal rods 58 by means of bearings 59 similarto the bearing within the casing 16. A circumferential bearing 60 ispositioned to the rear of the wings of the aero glider, and is similarinconstruction to the circumferential bearing shown in Figure 3. It isto be understood, ofeourse, that the modified form of bearing sliewn beused.

Figure 9 ihustrates how my invention may be applied tc'an existingsupport structure. As shownfa mast 61 has extending therefrom arms 62. Arod or any suitable rigid member 63 extends from the top of the mast 61to the ends of the arm 62. The rod 63 is adapted to act as a track forwheels 64 of a weighted car 65 for travel thereon. A cable 66 isconnected to the weighted car 65 and passes over a pulley 67 at the topof the mast, down the upper portion of the mast, over another pulley6'7, and follows the arms 59 for extensibly suspending an aero glider,not

shown.

It will be apparent that the weighted car 52 will exert a force equaland opposite to the variable pull exerted by the aero glider in itsvarious poin connection with the embodiment shown in Figure 1. By thisarrangement it is possible to utilize an existing mast in applying myinvention.

prising a rotatable base,

in Figure 4 may also From the foregoing it will be apparent that I haveprovided an aero glider capable of rotation about its three axes. At thepoints where the aero glider rotates, there is also provided frictionreducing means that will permit the aero glider to move freely. By thespecific construction of the frame and support for the aero glider, itis also possible to execute a complete loop free from any interference.There is also provided a device in which the aero glider is extensiblysuspended by a cable and the pull exerted by the aero glider in variouspositions is counterbalanced.

While this invention has been described as an amusement device, it is tobe understood that it is not so limited. Such a device may be verysuccessfully used in the training of airplane pilots in that a simulatedairplane is provided having the conventional controls for producing thevarious movements.

My invention has been described with reference to a single aero glider,but it is obvious that a plurality of aero gliders having the sameconstruction may be used. The number of aero gliders is limited only bythe number of arms extend ing from the mast.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself tothe precise details of construction herein set forth by way ofillustration, as it is apparent that many changesand variations may bemade therein, by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base, amast carried by said base, a plurality of arms extending from said mast,an aero glider for each arm, and means mounted on the base, associatedwith each aero glider for varying the amount of suspension thereof.

2. A device of the character described, coma mast carried by said base,a plurality of arms extending from said mast, an aero glider extensiblysuspended from each arm, and means mounted on the base for radialmovement with respect thereto, for counterbalancing the weight of eachaero glider.

3, A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base,} amast carried by said base, a plurality of arms extending from said mast,a yoke extensibly suspended from each arm, an aero glider pivotallyconnected to each yoke for rotary movement on its lateral axis, andmeans associated with the base for counterbalancing the weight of eachaero glider.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base, amast carried by said base, a plurality of arms extending from said mast,a yoke extensibly suspended from each arm, means to pivot an aero gliderfor rotation about its three axes, and means associated with the base tocounterbalance the variable pull of each aero glider.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base, amast carried by said base, aplurality of arms extending from said mast,a yoke extensibly suspended from each arm, means to pivot a plurality ofaero gliders for rotation about the three axes of each, means forsupporting each aero glider, and means associated with the base tocounterbalance the variable pull of each aero glider.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a conically shapedrotatable base, a mast carried by said base, a plurality of armsextending from said mast, a plurality of yokes adjustably suspended fromthe arms, a plurality of aero gliders pivoted for rotation about thethree axes of each, a weight adapted to be moved on said base andcounterbalance the variable pull of each aero glider, and meansconnecting said yoke and weight.

7. A device of the character described, comprising a conically shapedrotatable base, a mast carried by said base, a plurality of armsextending from said mast, a plurality of yokes adjustably suspended fromthe arms, a plurality of aero gliders mounted for rotation about thethree axes of each, a weight adapted to be moved on said base andcounterbalance the variable pull of each aero glider, and a cablepassing over pulleys for connecting said yoke and weight.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base, amast carried by said base, a plurality of arms extending from said mast,a yoke extensibly suspended from each arm, an aero glider pivoted toeach yoke for movement on its lateral axis, and means associated withthe base to counterbalance the variable pull of each glider.

9. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base, amast carried by said base, a plurality of arms extending from said mast,a yoke extensibly suspended from each arm, an aero glider having abearing member for permitting movement of the aero glider about itslateral axis, said bearing member being connected between the arms ofthe yoke, and means associated with the base to counterbalance thevariable pull of each glider.

10. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base, amast carried by said base, a plurality of arms extending from said mast,a yoke extensibly suspended from'each arm, said yoke being provided withmeans for allowing swinging movement, means to mount an aero glider forrotation about its three axes to said yoke, and means associated withthe base to counterbalance the variable pull of the glider.

11. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base, amast carried by said base, a plurality of arms extending from said mast,a yoke extensibly suspended from each arm, an aero glider havingconventional operable airplane .controls, pivotally connected to saidyoke, to permit looping thereof in a plane at right angles to the yokeby conventional operation of the controls, and means associated with thebase to counterbalance the pull of each glider.

12. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base, amast carried by said base, a plurality of arms extending from said mast,an aero glider having a self contained source of power, and a propellerattached thereto, said aero glider being extensibly suspended from eacharm, and means mounted on the base for counterbalancing the weight ofeach aero glider.

13. A device of the character described, comprising a rotatable base, amast carried by said base, a plurality of arms extending from said mast,an aero glider extensibly connected to each arm, said aero glider havingmeans associated therewith to permit movement about its three axes, andmeans associated with the base to counterbalance the pull of eachglider.

14. A 'device of the character described, comprising a support, aplurality of aero gliders extensibly suspended from said support, eachaero glider having means associated therewith to permit movement aboutits three axes, and means associated with said support to counterbalancethe weight of each glider.

15. A device of the character described, comprising a support, aplurality of aero gliders extensibly suspended from said support andeach glider having controls to produce movement about its three axes,means associated with each glider to permit movement about its threeaxes, and means associated with said support to counterbalance theweight of each glider.

16. A device of the character described, comprising a support, aplurality of yokes extensibly suspended from said support, an aeroglider pivotally mounted in each yoke for rotary movement on its lateralaxis, and means associated with the support to counterbalance the weightof each glider.

17. An amusement device comprising a plurality of aero gliders suspendedfor movement about a central mast, each glider being mounted.

for movement about its three axes and a weight counterbalancing thevariable pull of each of the aero gliders in any position.

18. An amusement device comprising a rotatable mast, a plurality of aerogliders suspended for rotary movement about the mast, each glider beingmounted for movement about its three axes, and a weight counterbalancingthe variable pull 01 each of the gliders in any pos tion.

19. An orientation device comprising a rotatable base, a mast carried bysaid base, an arm extending from said mast, an aero glider suspendedfrom said arm, and means mounted on the base and connected to the gliderfor varying the amount of suspension thereof.

HAROLD H. HUNT.

